Chapter Seven

Friday, June 8, 2001
3:02 P.M.
Hill Valley, California

Fortunately, everything at home was as they left it. Clara and Jennifer were waiting at the Brown mansion for the stagecoach and their return.

"How'd it go?" Clara asked.

"Hmph," was Doc's response.

"We were arrested," Marty said, unbuttoning his doublet, "Somehow, the pastor found out we weren't legit."

"My God, Marty, were you alright?" Jennifer asked, going to his side, visions of medieval torture chambers on her mind.

"We got by fine," Door said, picking up his suitcase, "We were held in a small jail but escaped. I just wonder how he was able to find out."

"My fault entirely," Doc said as the stagecoach drove itself into the barn, a rather handy feature Doc wished he could claim as his own invention. It was apparently a standard feature of the cars of its home timeline, "I underestimated the speed at which news and particularly letters could move in the Elizabethan era."

"I'm just glad you're alright," Clara said, kissing Doc on the cheek. Turning to Door, she asked, "Did you get the documents you were looking for?"

"Yes!" Door said excitedly, "I traced our family back an additional eight generations! I even met one of our ancestors—of course, he was imprisoning us, but still!"

Clara laughed, "Well, congratulations."

"Thank you, Emmett," Door said, turning to him, "Thank you for this opportunity."

"You're quite welcome."

A few days later, Jim Door called Doc from his home in Seattle.

"How are things?" Doc asked.

"Good, good," Door said, somewhat distracted by his other research, "But I think I'm done with time travel."

"Oh?" Doc asked, "Don't you want to know more?"

"Well, yes, but frankly it seems way too dangerous," Door said. "And at any rate, it's not like I can show my findings to anybody! I don't need to know everything!"

Doc had to agree to that, "So, what now?"

"I'll keep in touch," Door said, "And keep the family secret."

"You mean the time machines."

"Exactly. Thanks for your help."

"You're quite welcome, Jim."

James hung up the phone and got back to work.

THE END

(for now)